Percy Jackson and the Mediocere Movie

Alright, so I am a huge Percy Jackson fan. I read the first book last summer. This past semester I listened to the entire Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus series on audiobook. I think Rick Riordian is a magnificent author. The Percy Jackson series is a wonderful fantasy for both children and young adults.  I am very excited about the Demigod Diaries and The Mark of Athena that will come out this year. However, I have heard negative things about the movie.  Most people have said that they hated it. I know Rick Riordian refuses to see it.  Although, I have known a few people who said they liked it. And they are making another movie. So, I figured that I would give it a try. And I know what you are going to say "the book is always better then the movie". Well, that is not the case for me. Sometimes I like the book better then the movie. Occasionally, I will like the movie better then the book. Other times I think of the movie and the book adaptions as compliments to each other. Overall, the Percy Jackson movie was good. However, it had lots of problems.

Things I hated:

• Percy was way too old. The story starts out when he is 11.
• Annabeth was blonde in the books. Also, it did not mention her love of architecture. Speaking of love, she and Percy had way too many lovey dovey moments. Although, eventually they get together, they mainly just annoy each other in the first book.
• Grover was a womanizer.
• Kronos was not in the movie at all. Which was kind of a problem since he was the main villain through out the series. So, that is kind of a major plot hole that will need to be filled.
• Hades was evil. Of course they would sell out to the idea of the god of the Underworld being evil. The Greek gods were neither good or bad. They did sketchy and good things. Actually, Hades would be an ally to Percy Jackson in the last book. Also, they neglected to say that Hades helmet was also stolen.
• Ares was not in the movie. He is one of Percy Jackson's main enemies. So far they have yet to come to terms. He is also the father of Clarisse, who is bully (and later friend) to Percy Jackson. Clarisse was also left out of the movie.
• The fact that they did not show Elysium. They made the Underworld look  like doom and gloom.
• And there was no Dionysus. Not only is he the camp director, but was the comic relief.

Things I liked:

• I did like the chemistry between Percy and Annabeth. Although they should have had a lot more arguments.
•  Luke was an annoying, prideful, know it all jerk. 
• Chiron was pretty cool.
•  Grover dancing to Poker Face.
• They all star actors such as Sean Bean, Uma Thurman, and Pierce Bronson.
• The special effects.
• Soundtrack
• A pretty good attempt at putting a complicated story into two hours. At least some of Percy, Grover, and Annabeth's misadventures made it in.

So I did not hate the movie, but I still prefer the book. Although I am kinda excited about the next movie. It will have some of the same cast. Oddly enough all the kids will still be playing their roles even though a couple years have passed since the last movie came out. Joining the cast will be Leven Rambin (Hunger Games) as Clarisse, Stanly Tucci (Hunger Games) as Dionysus, Nathan Fillion (Firefly) as Hermes, and Mark Hamill (Star Wars) as Tantalus. Hopefully, that movie will be better. Although, it probably will not be better then the book. If you like fantasy or myths, I encourage you to read Rick Riordian's Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus Series.